The BEST Gyms in Waco | Your Local Fitness Center Guide (2024)
Welcome to the heart-pumping haven of Waco's finest fitness centers, where the blend of cutting-edge facilities and top-notch amenities will leave you sweating with excitement (assuming that sort of thing excites you)!
From soothing saunas and bubbling hot tubs to invigorating pools and state-of-the-art treadmills, we've curated a list of the BEST gyms in Waco that will push your limits and redefine your workout experience.
Get ready to find your zen with expert yoga classes or unleash your full potential with the guidance of seasoned fitness trainers. It's time to elevate your fitness journey and discover the extraordinary - let's dive in to the BEST fitness centers in Waco!
THE FITNESS CENTER GUIDE
I have broken this Waco fitness center guide up into four sections:
5 LOCAL GYMS IN WACO
This first section will focus exclusively on locally owned and operated gyms in Waco. These are primarily traditional fitness centers and gyms, including two of the largest fitness centers in Waco.
WACO REGIONAL TENNIS & FITNESS CENTER
The Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness Center was founded in 2002 and has been going strong ever since. In fact, it's probably one of the most successful fitness centers and athletic complexes in the entire city of Waco.
It's not uncommon to attend various district, regional, and state championship games at Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness Center. In all, 50+ major events are hosted at WRTFC each year, including United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Universal Tennis (UTR) competitions and championships.
Waco Regional Tennis Court
And while the tennis and pickle-ball courts are incredibly fun to play on and get some serious exercise, the fitness center at Waco Regional Tennis is equally as impressive.
Treadmills at Waco Regional Fitness
Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness Center is also one of the few fitness centers in Waco that also has a sauna on-site. Here are a few of the highlights for WRT:
- Championship Quality Tennis & Pickle-Ball Courts
- Recently Renovated Fitness Center
- Member Lobby & Lounge Area
- Daycare Available
- Free Classes & Events for Members
- Fitness Training Available
- Sauna
- Hot Tub
- Showers
- Permanent Lockers Available w/ Name Tag
The only real downside to the Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness Center is that there is no pool. There is also no indoor basketball court (or outdoor, for that matter). Other than that, they've got pretty much everything else you could need in a fitness center.
The Sauna at Waco Regional Fitness
Until we get a 24 Hour Fitness or LA Fitness in Waco, WRTFC is quite possibly the best gym in Waco.
WACO REGIONAL FITNESS CENTER COST
Membership cost at Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness Center starts from $59/person per month for an individual membership. There are additional membership options and discounts available for tennis, pickle-ball, families and couples.
WRS ATHLETIC CLUB
The only fitness center that really gives the Waco Regional Fitness Center a run for its money is the WRS Athletic Club. And that's because - while they don't have tennis courts - they do have an olympic sized swimming pool.
However, whereas the Waco Regional Fitness Center was recently renovated, the WRS Athletic Club has been in operation for 25+ years, but has not been updated at any point in recent history. And it could stand some updating of its own to remain aesthetically competitive.
Much like the Waco Regional Fitness Center, you'll find all of these amenities at WRS Athletic Club:
- Free Weights
- Weight Machines
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Spin Class
- Massages
- Water Aerobics
- Steam Room
- Sauna
- Locker Room
- Trainers Available
And of course, the Olympic Sized Swimming Pool; many locals would say it is one of the best places to swim in Waco.
WRS ATHLETIC CLUB COST
Unlike most of the other athletic clubs and fitness centers in Waco, WRS Athletic Club does not list their membership price on their website, and instead, invite you to "come tour" where you will then be told about all of their membership options.
However, if you call them, they are very nice people to speak with, and they are happy to answer any questions you may have.
For the record, the membership cost (at the time this article was published) at WRS Athletic Club is $72/person per month. They also have additional membership options for families, couples and of course separate fees for personal trainers at the gym.
ReFIT STUDIO
ReFit is one of the more interesting gyms in Waco (at least from a brand recognition standpoint). It's one of a few fitness centers that was started in Central Texas that has quickly become a globally recognized brand.
With certified ReFit instructors popping up all over the map, launching new ReFit Studio's every year, ReFit Studio continues to experience explosive growth.
What started out as a fun venture between three friends quickly turned into a viral and explosive new fitness model focused around relationships.
If you're looking for a traditional gym, ReFit isn't it. If you're expecting a space filled with free weights and a ton of men working out, grunting and doing everything they can to increase their lift capacity - ReFit isn't it.
ReFit Studio is more like a combination of a Yoga, Pilates and Zumba gym than it is a traditional free-weight, treadmill and bench-lifting gym. In fact, you'll want to bring a mat and two 2-5 lb hand weights if you plan on going.
ReFIT STUDIO COST
ReFit Studio has two core fitness classes:
- ReFit: a fast-paced, cardio-based workout focused on sweating and having fun.
- Rev+Flow: a low-pace, high-intensity work out with repetitive movement and rythm.
While you will certainly get a workout, ReFit is more about community and relationships then it is about personal achievements and hitting the next set of weights.
Memberships at ReFit start from $15 per individual class, or $69/mo for unlimited classes. There are other membership options available at their site where you can sign up.
CAMP GLADIATOR WACO
Camp Gladiator is similar to ReFit Studio in that it started in Dallas, and has quickly expanded to become a nationally recognized brand with 2,000+ locations and 800+ certified instructors.
You can workout online, or in-person at one of their many locations throughout the state of Texas, including right here in Waco. Unlike other gyms in the area, Camp Gladiator has an intentional focus of working out outdoors.
CAMP GLADIATOR COST
The three core plans that Camp Gladiator offers are:
- Cardio & Strength Endurance: Improve your ability to sustain moderate intensities over time.
- Strength & Interval Training: Aim to get stronger and lift heavier.
- Power Strength & Metabolic Conditioning: Get out of your comfort zone and give your maximum effort regardless of your fitness level today.
Similar to ReFit Studio classes, you'll need to bring:
- A mat
- Two dumbbells
Each class is 30-60 minutes and is led by a certified Camp Gladiator trainer.
The cost to join Camp Gladiator Waco for in-person classes (it includes online classes, too) is just $59/mo per person. You can also add on a meal plan for $9.95/mo per person.
THE MUSCLE CAVE BAR & GYM
The Muscle Cave Bar & Gym is precisely what it sounds like. It's a space to build muscle! And nearly all of their classes are focused around doing just that + some cardio mixed in.
Their premiums classes include:
- Kettlebell Flow
- Xtreme Hit
- Weights & Ropes
- STEP + Cardio
- Tabata
- Burnout Box
- Hot Step
- Abs & Glutes
- Stretch & Flow
THE MUSCLE CAVE BAR & GYM COST
You can get started at The Muscle Cave Bar & Gym for just $10 for 10 classes. After that, you can join up to 8 classes for $54/mo, unlimited core classes at $74/mo, or get the All Access Pass to both core and premium classes at $99/mo.
WACO COMMUNITY CENTERS
Waco currently features three community centers:
- Dorris Miller Community Center
- Dewey Community Center
- South Waco Community Center
Each of these community centers feature gyms and wellness spaces, as well as areas available for aerobic classes, or other specialty classes such as martial arts.
The fitness rooms are generally accessible during normal operating hours, while any special classes hosted at the community center are scheduled by the course instructor.
COMMUNITY CENTER GYM COST
The fitness centers at Waco community centers are $2 per visit, or, you can purchase a 30-day punch pass for just $30. So, you could workout 30 times over the course of 60 days at just $1/workout.
Unlike other gyms that charge per month, the community centers charge based on visits, and your punch passes don't expire until you use them.
That officially makes Waco community centers the cheapest gyms in Waco.
BRAND NAME GYMS IN WACO
Waco is also home to a good number of brand name gyms that have a multi-state, or national presence.
These gyms include:
- Hotworx
- Golds Gym
- Planet Fitness
- Crunch Fitness
- Anytime Fitness
- YMCA
Out of those, Hotworx is probably the most unique fitness center. It features infrared sauna workouts where sweat is heavily featured. It's a fitness center focused on High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for better cardiovascular health, in a climate-controlled space using a proprietary combination of heat and infrared light.
The second brand name fitness space that is unique from the rest of the YMCA. The Waco YMCA features all of the amenities that you'd expect from a YMCA including:
- Pool
- Basketball Court
- Sauna
- Fitness Center
- Lockers
- Showers
CROSSFIT GYMS IN WACO
CrossFit is an entirely different subset of the gym ecosystem, so I've created a section dedicated to just CrossFit gyms in the Waco area.
This is not an exhaustive list of all CrossFit gyms in the area, but these are what I would consider the top ones based on the total number of ratings, the average rating, and the length of time that each one has been in existence:
- Twin Bridges CrossFit
- Train Waco
- CrossFit 15:10
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an LA Fitness in Waco?
No, LA Fitness has not yet opened up a location in Waco.
Is there a 24 Hour Fitness in Waco?
No, 24 Hour Fitness has not opened any locations in Waco.
Is there a Planet Fitness in Waco?
Yes, Planet Fitness has a gym in Waco. It's located at 300 N Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76710.
Is there a Gold's Gym in Waco?
Yes, Gold's Gym has a fitness center in Waco located at 250 N New Rd, Waco, TX 76710.
